Come Sojourn with Us
This is where you will find sermons and updates for our church. Our mission is to preach expository sermons focusing on the gospel of Christ. We are a church that is tied to the reformed tradition and seeks to submit to the scriptures so we walk in the Lord’s wisdom rather than our own.
We would love to have you join us on our Christian sojourn if you are in the Belgrade, MT area. If you are not in area then join us by listening to our bi weekly free sermon podcast.
Stay informed by following us on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or through our RSS feed. We would love for you to join us for worship every Sunday at 10 am and 6 pm. If you cannot join us in person then tune into our YouTube livestream.
As we profess to be Christians we are called to live our lives for our Lord as living sacrifices. Our catechism summarizes this so well when it states that we live our lives out of gratitude for our Lord because He has redeemed us. So, how do we learn what living for the Lord looks like? How do we know if we are living for the Lord?
Christ goes to a small town and all the people come out to Christ. They worship him and bring their sick to him. What is the purpose of this narrative? What does this narrative teach us about our need for Christ? How do we approach our Lord as HIs redeemed?
(We apologize for the mic issues about halfway into the sermon. We had to cut a few minutes of the sermon, but you can still get the gist of the sermon)
The Apostle Paul gives the warning that if someone covets they are giving into idolatry. If someone gives into idolatry then they do not have the kingdom of God. So, as we all struggle with idolatry does that mean we do not have Christ? If we struggle with coveting does that mean we do not have Christ? How do we proceed to serve the Lord while having this propensity to struggle against his will?
When Christ walks on the water is he doing that because he is against taking a boat? Does Christ do this just because he can? Does Christ do this because he is making a point about his mission? If he is making a point what would that point be? How can this show that Christ is the Lord over death or Sheol?
As Christians we want to avoid become legalists where we make the law a tangible thing that is easy for us to keep in our strength. We also want to avoid saying that the law of God has no place in our lives. So, how do we define a good work without minimizing the law, but also without dismissing the law?
Our Lord creates within us a survival instinct that we call fight of flight. This is triggered when something stressful threatens our life or our well being. Matthew assures us that Christ has come to save us from our sins which implies that Christ is undertaking a difficult mission, but he is going to be successful. So, why does Christ run away from Herod when he hears the news of John’s death? Is Christ a coward or are we being short sighted in our discerning Christ’s mission?
John the Baptist or Baptizer is the forerunner to Christ as the messiah. You would think that John’s place in the Gospels would be prominent. This is the man who goes before Christ proclaiming Christ’s entrance into history. However, this is not the case as he preaches, is in prison, and then he ends up dying because Herod cannot see past his own nose. What is the purpose of this man? How can this man have a successful ministry when it seems it has never left the ground?
When we are saved by grace it might seem counter intuitive to say we are called to bring forth good works. How can we be saved by grace, but at the same time bringing forth good works? How do we cultivate these good works? Do these works make us worthy to enter into the presence of God? How does one become a member of God’s temple, and bring forth good works?
Christ is our redeeming messiah. You would think that Christ entering town would be a very rich blessing because the Lord would teach the intentions of Scripture. However, Christ is not received with such honor in his hometown. What does this tell us about the Word of God? What does Nazareth teach us about our potential reaction to the Lord’s Word?
Our Lord took on real flesh and has entered history to live a perfect life, die on the cross, be raised to life, and ascend to heaven. He gives the sure promise that those who respond to the gospel in faith have life right now and true life in the age to come. However, those who do not respond in faith do not and will not have life in the age to come. His assurance and warning is that how one responds to the gospel in this day has ramifications for the life to come. So, what is essential to the Gospel message to have life? Do we really need to believe that Christ took on the flesh?
Isaiah predicts and raises children that are not necessarily encouraging for Ahaz. In fact, these children upset the status quo that Ahaz desires to maintain. This is not just a problem for Ahaz, but we find that the same thing is happing under the watch of Caesar Augustus who is credited with establishing world peace. Christ’s entrance into history that does not seem to be that well received. Is this really the Emmanuel child? Can the Lord really establish His kingdom through such humble beginnings?
When Christ is on the cross he states, “it is Finished.” This seem like a simple enough statement, but what does it really mean? What implications could this have for the Lord’s Supper? What does this mean for our lives in the Lord?
Our Lord uses very strong language about finding life and having life in him. Christ tells us that need to eat his flesh and his blood. He promises that as we eat of his flesh and blood we are assured that we will have true life that will never end. So, does this mean that every time that we have the Lord’s supper that we consume Christ’s body and blood? Does this mean that every time we come together that Christ is re-sacrificed? What does Christ mean by this language?
We want to thank you for subscribing to our podcast throughout this year. We also wish you a Merry Christmas. May you have the shalom and joy of Immanuel in your midst in this Christmas season.
Isaiah has not been the most encouraging prophet for the Lord’s people. He continues to talk about exile and a remnant. One might wonder if there is any hope for the Lord’s messiah to arrive in history. However, Isaiah gives us the assurance that there is a child who arrives in history and his name is wonderful counselor. So, what is so significant about this child who enters history?
Isaiah is commanded to write Maher Shalal, Hash, Bas on the wall. It is after he writes this on the wall he is to name his child this very name. Not many Christians name their child Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz. Is this because the length of the name, the meaning of the name or both? Why is Isaiah commanded to name his child: Quick Spoil Swift Plunder?
Christ identifies the elements in the Lord’s Supper as His body and blood. Is Christ saying that the bread and the wine are merely a memorial? How can these elements continually be tied to Christ when he sacrifices himself once time? How can we be assured that as Christ is in heaven that we have life in the Lord?
Isaiah 7:14 promises a great child. It is the promise of a child whose name means, “God with us.” This is a wonderful promise. Immanuel means God walking in the midst of his people giving the assurance that no matter what his people face they will have assurance of the Lord’s protection. How can this promise be a threat? Why would Ahaz not be encouraged about this sign? How can the birth of this child encourage us?
The Apostle Paul mentions baptism and circumcision as two signs of Christ’s work. Does Paul mention circumcision first to show that there is something more basic or inferior to this sign tied strictly to the Old Testament? Does he mention baptism second to communicate we have really arrived in history? Is it possible that Paul sees these two signs as having similar implications, but looking to the coming of Christ from different viewpoints in history?
The people of Judah are facing a foreign and domestic threat that could impact their future existence. Ahaz their king is scared that his kingdom will not be able to withstand a lengthy battle. The Lord sends Isaiah to deliver a prophecy to Ahaz and he is to bring his son. What is the significance of Isaiah’s child? What is the hope that a remnant shall return?
We are a bible believing church in the Belgrade, MT. We are a Reformed Protestant church who desire to build one another up in love as we sojourn under the sun.
